Secret is Out About Gena Rowlands Movie Filmed Locally - It Was Shot With a Smart Phone

When actress Gena Rowlands, who has won three Emmys and two Golden Globes and twice been nominated for Oscars, on Fairmount Avenue in August, most passersby had no idea what was going on inside .

At the time of filming co-director Hooman Khalili was intentially keeping things quiet. He didn't want word to get out too soon that he was filming the entire movie using a smart phone.   

According to the film's website, "Olive is the very first full length feature film shot 100% on a cell phone. A 35 mm lens adapter was fabricated to fit the smart phone in order to achieve a shallow depth of field."

With the various attachments on the Nokia N8 it was no longer small enough to slip in a pocket. Still, the minimal amount of equipment used helped keep the filming that took place at RabbitEars, as well as a home in El Cerrito and another in Kensington, low key.

Most of those on hand during the August RabbitEars filming were employees of the pet store and film crew. A Patch reporter was allowed to remain and given stills taken locally by film crew photographer Golnaz Shahmirzadi on the condition that the film's title, camera equipment, and co-directors not be disclosed at that time.

Now that the directors have gone public with the film's unusual background, we're sharing additional photos taken by Patch Aug. 17, 2011 of the cast and crew.